by simply reversing them at some points, or at others wholly reconstructing them to suit the circumstances of the ground:  The troops, without reserves, were then placed behind our cover dismounted, boxes of ammunition distributed along the line, and the order passed along that the place must be held.  All this was done in the darkness, and while we were working away at our cover the enemy could be distinctly heard from our skirmish-line giving commands and making preparations to attack.

Just after daylight on the 1st of June the Confederate infantry under General Kershaw endeavored to drive us out, advancing against my right from the Bethesda Church road.  In his assault he was permitted to come close up to our works, and when within short range such afire was opened on him from our horse-artillery and repeating carbines that he recoiled in confusion after the first onset; still, he seemed determined to get the place, and after reorganizing, again attacked; but the lesson of the first repulse was not without effect, and his feeble effort proved wholly fruitless.  After his second failure we were left undisturbed, and at 9 A.M.  I sent the following despatch to army headquarters: 

“Headquarters cavalry corps,
“Army of the Potomac. 
“Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864—­9 A.M.

“Major-general Humphreys,
“Chief-of-Staff.

“General:  In obedience to your instructions I am holding Cold Harbor.  I have captured this morning more prisoners; they belong to three different infantry brigades.  The enemy assaulted the right of my lines this morning, but were handsomely repulsed.  I have been very apprehensive, but General Wright is now coming up.  I built slight works for my men; the enemy came up to them, and were driven back.  General Wright has just arrived.

“P.  H. Sheridan,
“Major-General Commanding.”

About 10 o’clock in the morning the Sixth Corps relieved Torbert and Davies, having marched all night, and these two generals moving out toward the Chickahominy covered the left of the infantry line till Hancock’s corps took their place in the afternoon.  By this time Gregg had joined me with his two brigades, and both Torbert and Gregg were now marched to Prospect Church, from which point I moved them to a position on the north side of the Chickahominy at Bottom’s bridge.  Here the enemy’s cavalry confronted us, occupying the south bank of the stream, with artillery in position at the fords prepared to dispute our passage; but it was not intended that we should cross; so Gregg and Torbert lay quiet in camp at Bottom’s bridge and at Old Church without noteworthy event until the 6th of June.